Explanations (2)

«What do you want from me?» Vera asked, confused and in pain just like Neven had seen her before.

She was hurt, and this time there was no excuse he could use with himself. It was his fault, for being unreasonable and hiding it from her.

«I want to marry you,» he said. And it was the truth. Finally, after hiding not to scare her, he could show her his true nature.

He was a lot worse than she had imagined, and it was time to reveal the truth.

«I wanted to marry you.»

«Why?» she wondered.

«Because I like you. And I hoped that, with time, you would come to like me back.»

«Marry me? Are you sure?» she chuckled. «That's the most unreasonable excuse I've ever heard.»